The use of legs in a real fight
In a real combat the use of legs is very useful but for a novice, a simple amateur or even the former practitioner it can be significantly unfavorable/dangerous.
In order to get an idea of the current state of our preparation, here (without claim to completeness) we can see a checklist that can help us to assess whether or not we are able to use effectively kicks in a real situation.
Balance:
- Can we stay in perfect balance for (at least) 15-20 minutes on each of our legs?
- Can we give (at least) 50 powerful, fast and precise kicks in perfect balance on one leg?
- Are we able to choose the position we want to occupy after a flying kick or a high kick (eg. are we falling backward?)?
- Can we correctly bounce and land after a flying kick to the wall and / or a jump against the wall?
Spatial intelligence and precision:
- In training with the tennis ball hanging on the elastic rope (read Basic tools: the Hanging Speedball), in about 100 kicks, can we stay under (at least) the 25% of failing the target?
- Can we kick effectively reaching a moving target while we are running?
- Can we correct the deviation of our kicks in favor of “moving” targets (without losing all the power)?
- Can we manage to hit a target without seeing it but only remembering his spatial position (or its trajectory)?
- With flying kicks are we able to trace instinctively and without errors the time to detach in relation to motion, position and distance of the target?
Power and resistance:
- Can we deliver (at least) 100 consecutive high kicks without losing precision, speed, timing, balance and breath?
- Can we kick releasing power (in terms of space / time / direction of impact)?
- Our explosive strength allows us to poke and pull back the leg in the same amount of time (with high speed)?
Conditioning and coordination:
- In the real kicking moment (eg. with a fast moving target) can we instantly decide what is the right leg with which to beat and the one with which to (eventually) jump?
- When we land after a jumping kick have we difficulties (eg. the foot lands wrong, etc.)?
- Our feet, our knees (etc.) are conditioned enough to withstand the pain of an imperfect impact (eg. against a metal pole)?
Technical preparation:
- Do we know the correct part to use (eg. of the foot) to hit the right part of the opponent’s body (eg. a pain point)?
- Do we know (at least roughly) what are the positions / situations more favorable to use certain kicks?
- Are we able to improvise an effective kick adapted to an unpredictable situation?
If we are into these parameters it means that, with some degree of certainty, we can use kicks in the context of a real fight (with an effectiveness “near” to one of our arms).
If we are below these parameters, it does not necessarily mean that we cannot kick, but we can only do so in conditions of proven safety (low kicks, unfavorable opponent’s positions, etc.); in all other occasions (those that need balance, speed, precision, etc.) is very risky and it exposes us to:
- Ruinous falls
- Unexpected pain / damages
- Be in opponent’s hands
Let’s learn to know with humility our state of preparation (generally and also in the particular moment in which we have truly to fight). If we are not in an acceptable range let’s use (mainly) our arms.
Let’s train our legs to be constantly and widely at a good level. Without the proper preparation, any type of martial art is ineffective (read Why martial arts do not work: 5 reasons).
Author: Master Kongling
Founder of 6 Dragons Kung Fu.
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August 30, 2018 @ 5:54 pm
How do I know at what height can I kick?
September 3, 2018 @ 5:21 am
In general terms, you should calculate a gap of 25-35° from your maximum opening
October 31, 2023 @ 11:37 pm
Balance
November 3, 2023 @ 6:34 am
Very important.